Device for adjustably supporting a rod guide tube

ABSTRACT

Device supports a rod guide tube so that it is capable of circumferential adjustment to avoid worn surface areas. Device includes an elongated vertical web having a ring upstanding at one end for receiving the exit end of a rod guide tube and a substantially U-shape collar upstanding at its opposite end parallel with the ring for receiving the flanged entrance end of the rod guide tube. A cap is provided hinged at one end to one of the legs of the U-shaped collar adapted to be placed in locking position across a rod guide tube resting in the collar and be secured in the locking position.

[451 a Sept. 5, 1972 United States Patent Platko [54] DEVICE FOR ADJUSTABLY SUPPORTING A ROD GUIDE TUBE [72] Inventor: John M. Platko, Joliet, Ill.

[73] Assignee: United States Steel Corporation ABSTRACT Device supports a rod guide tube so that it is capable [22] Filed: March 3, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 120,415

of circumferential adjustment to avoid worn surface areas. Device includes an elongated vertical web having a ring upstanding at one end for receiving the exit 52 US. 72/423 end of a rod guide tube and a substantially P collar upstanding at its opposite end parallel with the ring for receiving the flanged entrance end of the rod [51] Int. 39/20, B2ld 43/16 [58] Field of Search........................72/250, 227, 428

guide tube. A cap is provided hinged at one end to one of the legs of the U-shaped collar adapted to be References Cited placed in locking position across a rod guide tube rest- UNITED STATES PATENTS ing in the collar and be secured in the locking position.

500,108 6/1893 Williams..................72/227 X 2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEBSEP 5|912 SHEEI 1 0F 2 lNVENTOR. JOHN M. PLAT/(0 By Attorney PATENTEDSEP' 5 1972 saw 20F z i r::l: 1:21-11:21: 2:

PRIOR ART l/VVENTUR. JOHN M. PLAT/(0 A! forney BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to continuous mills for hot-rolling rod and more particularly to an improved rod guide structure for use in guiding the travel of a hot rolled rod or bar from one point to another in a rolling mill.

Rod guide structures in use prior to my invention consisted essentially of integral castings, indicated generally by reference character A in FIG. 3 of the drawing. Each of the integral castings included a ho]- low, elongated tube section B and a vertical web portion C. A series of castings A were aligned in a predetermined path bolted to the vertical web section of an inverted T-shaped support beam element D of the rolling mill frame. Such an arrangement is known in the rolling art as a vertebrae type of guiding means for hot rolled rod R. The interior of the tube sections of the integral castings were subjected to abrasive wear in localized portions so that the casting had to be scrapped and replaced after relatively short periods of use to prevent scratching or cutting of the surfaces of the rod or bar passing therethrough. Since the prior art guide tubes were integral with the entire guide casting they were incapable of being rotatively adjusted to the path of travel of the rod or bar to bring an unused area of the inner surface of the tube into alignment with the path of travel of the rod or bar.

It is, accordingly, the primary object of my invention to provide a guide structure which is capable of adjustment for the purpose of moving unused areas thereof into working position to replace used areas which have been worn by abrasive action of the rod traveling therethrough.

It is a more specific object of my invention to provide a rod guide structure which includes an elongated cylindrical tube having a square flange around its entrance end and a holder for removably supporting the tube which is adapted to be affixed to a rod rolling mill structural element. The holder is provided with a slotted U-shape seat at one end for receiving the flanged end of the guide tube, and a hinged cap cooperating with the U-shape seat to removably lock a tube in the holder. A ring is provided on the opposite end of the holder for receiving the exit end of the tube. A wedge is thrust between the exit end of the tube and the ring to secure the tube in position.

These and other objects will become more apparent after referring to the following specification and attached drawing, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of the rod guide structure of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the rod guide structure with the guide tube removed;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the rod guide tube;

FIG. 4 is a partial side elevational view of a vertebrae type of rod guide means in a rod rolling mill utilizing the device of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing a typical prior art rod guide arrangement in a rod rolling mill.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference numeral 2 designates generally the guide structure of the invention. The guide structure 2 of the invention is preferably a casting and includes a vertical web 4 having holes 6 therethrough whereby it can be bolted to the structural element D. The forward end 8 of the vertical web 4 is provided with an upstanding ring 10. The ring 10 extends transversely of the web 4. Immediately adjacent the ring 10 on the upper part of the web 4 a pair of braces 12 may be provided for bracing the ring 10 on the web. The guide tube 16 is formed with a square flange 18 on its entrance end. An upstanding U-shape collar 20 is provided on the end of the web 4 opposite the ring 10. The U-shape collar is provided with upstanding parallel legs 21 and 23. The U-shape collar extends transversely of the web 4 sub stantially parallel with the ring 10. The inner surface of the collar 20 is slotted as at 22 for receiving the flange 18 of the tube 16, as best shown in FIG. 2.

A cap 24, which is hinged to the leg 23 of the collar 20 by means of a pin 26 and a tongue 28 which projects upwardly from the leg 23 of the collar, is formed with a slot 30 which mates with the slot 22 in the collar 20. The edges 32 of the cap 24 are arcuate in shape so as to fit around the upper circumferential portions of the tube 16 adjacent the flange 18, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The cap 24 is adapted to be moved to closed position spanning the throat of the collar 20, as shown in FIG. 1 to lock the guide tube 16 in the holder. The cap is secured in closed position by means of an upstanding tongue 34 on leg 21 and a pin 36 which projects through the cap and the tongue 34. When the tube is in position with the flange 18 thereof locked in the collar 20, a wedge 38 may be thrust between the outer circumference of the exit end of the tube and a notch 39 in the inner circumference of the ring to further stabilize the tube in position.

A bracing member 40 extends from one side of the upper portion of the web 4 and the collar 20 to further rigidify the structure.

In operation, the guide structure 2 of the invention with the tube 16 locked in place, is mounted in the rod rolling mill in the same manner as shown for the prior art guides A in FIG. 3. When the interior surface portion of the guide tube 16 becomes worn by abrasion of the rod R traveling thereover, the locking pin 36 is removed, the cap 24 swung upwardly into open position and the wedge 38 is temporarily removed. The tube 16 is then circumferentially rotated degrees and reseated in the collar 20 so that an unworn portion of its interior contacts the rod being guided therethrough.

While I have shown but one embodiment of my invention, other adaptations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a rod-rolling mill rod guide tube having an elongated cylindrical body with an entrance end and an exit end formed with a substantially square flange surrounding said entrance end the improvement therewith of a holder for said body which comprises an elongated vertical web portion adapted to be affixed to a rod-rolling mill frame, a ring upstanding on one end of said web portion extending transversely thereof, a substantially U-shape collar upstanding on the end of said vertical web portion opposite said ring extending transversely of said web portion substantially parallel with said ring, said collar being slotted along its inner surface, a cap portion having a slotted concave inner surface hinged at one end to the upper surface of one leg of said U- shape collar for movement between a position extending to the other leg of said U-shape collar spanning the open throat of said U-shape collar and a position removed from the open throat of said U-shape collar,

and means for locking said cap in position spanning the open throat of said U-shape collar, said rod guide tube body fitting in said holder with its exit and inserted in said ring and its entrance end disposed in said collar with said flange resting in the slot in said collar, said cap spanning the throat of said collar and engaging said flange of said rod guide tube body to lock the same in said collar.

2. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 including a wedge inserted between the exit end of said rod guide tube body and said ring to secure said body in said ring.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 88, JL Z Dated September 5, 1972 Inventor(s) John M. Platko It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet delete item "Assignee: United States Steel Corporation Column L line 3, "and" should read end' This certificate supersedes the Certificate of Correction issued March 20, 1973.

Signed and sealed this 2nd da; of April 1971;,

( SEAL) Atte st EDWARD M .FLETCHER J R C MARSHALL DANN v Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PC4050 USCOMM-DC 6O376-F'69 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1969 0-366-334,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Pat nt No. 3,688 542 Dated Segtember s, 1972 nven John M. Platko It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 3, "and" should read end Signed and sealed this 20th day of March 1973 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents DRM PO-lOSO (10-69) USCOMM-DC BO376-P59 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1969 O366'334v 

1. In a rod-rolling mill rod guide tube having an elongated cylindrical body with an entrance end and an exit end formed with a substantially square flange surrounding said entrance end the improvement therewith of a holder for said body which comprises an elongated vertical web portion adapted to be affixed to a rodrolling mill frame, a ring upstanding on one end of said web portion extending transversely thereof, a substantially U-shape collar upstanding on the end of said vertical web portion opposite said ring extending transversely of said web portion substantially parallel with said ring, said collar being slotted along its inner surface, a cap portion having a slotted concave inner surface hinged at one end to the upper surface of one leg of said U-shape collar for movement between a position extending to the other leg of said U-shape collar spanning the open throat of said U-shape collar and a position removed from the open throat of said U-shape collar, and means for locking saiD cap in position spanning the open throat of said U-shape collar, said rod guide tube body fitting in said holder with its exit and inserted in said ring and its entrance end disposed in said collar with said flange resting in the slot in said collar, said cap spanning the throat of said collar and engaging said flange of said rod guide tube body to lock the same in said collar.
 2. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 including a wedge inserted between the exit end of said rod guide tube body and said ring to secure said body in said ring. 